08.01 - Citizen Request to Reduce Water Bill

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DAVID SETTEVIG CONSTRUCTION David & Bette Settevig 4748 64TH St SW Pequot Lakes MN 56472 May 15, 2008 Pequot Lakes City Council 4638 County Road 11 Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 Re: 30551 Rae Ave Gentlemen: We are the owners of the WoodDale Apartments located at 30543 and 30551 Rae Ave. The buildings have had only one unit with metered water usage until just recently. When the city recently went to new unmetered billing rates, we worked with the water department and discovered the problem as original to the installation by the builder. At that time we decided to pay for and install the proper meters in each of the buildings. The date of installation & activation was April 1 , 2008. When tested & verified by Gary from the Water Dept. and the plumber, the meter started and stopped properly showing the correct flowage of water. Upon receipt of the water bill for April service the charges for 30551 Rae Ave are more than triple that of•30543. Occupancy, etc, of both buildings is very similar and should be close in usage. We contacted the Water Dept and requested a check of the meter in the 30551 building. It tested fine but showed water flowing when no tenants were home. We immediately came to check apartments where residents were not home and found a toilet overflowing in the fill tube. The running water was not visible in the bowl. The problem was promptly repaired. When questioned, the tenant said he couldn't hear anything so didn't know it was running. He has a slight hearing problem. Because we have not had metered service until April 1 of this year and the meter showed no 'problem like this when it was installed & tested, we are asking for your consideration of a reasonable adjustment to the charges for 3051 Rae Ave. At present the bill for 30551 Rae Ave is $674.36 while that of 30543 Rae Ave is $203.24. Wewould appreciate any adjustment you may decide on. Sincerely,. 3 i • r t A fit J1r7V °2. 11114